Toronto Blues Society | » Guitar Workshop

Guitar Workshop

Published March 1, 1996 in Features
guitar workshop participants
guitar workshop participants

guitar workshop participants

The Toronto Blues Society is holding their annual guitar workshop at the Horseshoe Tavern, Saturday, March 30, 2:00 pm. Hosted by Fathead‘s fiery guitar slinger, Teddy Leonard, this year’s lineup includes Colin Linden, Morgan Davis, John Tilden, and Don Rooke. They will be backed up by bass ace Bob “Omar” Tunnoch and Ed White on drums. Al Lerman, who plays regularly with Teddy and Morgan and is well aquainted with the other participants, has contributed a little background on the players.


Prior to joining Fathead, Teddy Leonard had played in numerous bands around the city including the Michael Pickett Band, Morgan Davis, and Colin Linden. It was through Colin that Teddy had the opportunity to tour with The Band‘s Rick Danko and Garth Hudson. Teddy’s early influences included Howlin’ Wolf‘s longtime guitarists Hubert Sumlin and Willie Johnson, as well as Ike Turner and the great B.B. King. He learned his lessons well. In describing Leonard’s red-hot guitar playing, recent reviews of Fathead’s CD have been peppered with words such as “exquisite”, “tasty” and “molten”. His advice for budding guitarists is to play with as many people as possible, check out live bands around the city, and ask questions. He also stresses that playing music should be fun, as we’re sure this gathering of string benders will be.

Morgan Davis plays the blues. Rude and crude. Low down and dirty. And this is precisely what he will be demonstrating at the workshop. His playing relies on intensity and feel rather than speed and pyrotechnics. In 1994 Jazz Report Magazine awarded him “Blues Musician of the Year” and he won “Blues Band of The Year” the following year. His song “Why’d You Lie” was covered by blues rocker Colin James. The 1989 Colin Linden-produced album, Morgan Davis (on Stony Plain) was nominated for a Juno Award. His latest CD, entitled Live, was recorded at Grossman’s and features Morgan at his best. His band can be seen performing regularly in Toronto as well as across the country. He can also be heard each Tuesday at Killin’ Tyme (222 Richmond St. W.) in tandem with harp player Al Lerman.

John Tilden plays with a revered and unique style. Perhaps the greatest compliment to John is that his playing can be instantly recognized as his own. Tilden’s career has included stints with Cueball, Whiskey Howl, Wooden Teeth, Mondo Combo, Johnny Wright, and Chuck Jackson to name only a few. He has also backed many internationally known blues and R&B greats such as Etta James, Rufus Thomas, Lowell Fulson, and Johnny Adams. A dazzling lead player, John has opted to enlighten us on the finer points of rhythm playing. Anybody who’s ever heard John play can attest that he is one of the funkiest rhythm players around. John also teaches guitar at the Twelfth Fret and has recently released an instructional video on rhythm and slide guitar playing. The TBS would like to thank and acknowledge John, who along with Brian Wickham, originally suggested holding these guitar workshops.

Colin Linden is a musician’s musician. Besides the Morgan Davis album, he has produced albums for the Mississippi Shieks’ Sam Chapman as well as Jackson Delta Trio. He is slated to produce an upcoming album for the Sidemen. He has recorded with Willie P. Bennet and Bruce Cockburn. I can remember him years ago at the legendary Colonial Tavern, impressing the great Muddy Waters with renditions of Charlie Patton songs between sets. For this workshop, Linden promises to explain the theory of “hangin’ on to the note till you hear the hair poppin’ out.” Colin has recently released a brand new album out on Sony.

Another treat of the workshop will be Don Rooke who will be giving us “new slide angles on old lap guitars.” An amazing musician, Don plays dobro, lap steel, and a unique instrument called a Wiesenborn. This is a guitar shaped Hawaiian lap instrument that is fitted with a hollow neck, usually made of Koa wood. His dobro was designed and built by Toronto guitar maker extraordinaire Joe Yazunello, who incidentally created Teddy Leonard’s beautiful copper colored electric. Don can be heard around town with his band The Henrys and with Mary Margaret O’Hara.

The Toronto Blues Society will be setting up a merchandising table and products from all five guitarists will be available for purchase. This event is indeed a rare opportunity to hear this many fine players together on one stage. This in itself is worth the price of admission. Its a special bonus to be invited to ask them questions about their playing and other guitar related subjects. Whether you play guitar, or you’re just a fan of the blues, the TBS Guitar Workshop is a great way to spend an afternoon. See you there.

– Al Lerman

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The Toronto Blues Society acknowledges the annual support of the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council and the Department of Canadian Heritage, and project support from FACTOR< and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Broadcasters, The Canada Council for the Arts, the SOCAN Foundation, SOCAN, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.